STAND. COM. REP. NO.  425-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2620

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2620, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help protect Hawaii's natural environment by requiring the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to:

     (1)  Prepare a report updating its 1996 report, "Hawaii's Readiness to Prevent and Respond to Oil Spills", including:

          (A)  Concentrating on the prevention and mitigation of a variety of contaminant spills into the environment;

          (B)  Identifying natural hazards and spill-risk plans; and

          (C)  Updating critical facilities and hazard maps in the state; and

     (2)  In consultation with major stakeholders, submit its updated report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016.

The Department of Health and a concerned individual supported the bill.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2620, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ISAAC W. CHOY, Chair